From Arik Air's Wings:
Belinda Otas meets the pioneering individuals who are devoting their work to preserving Nigeria’s heritage and historical landmarks
image via Wings
Words Belinda Otas
Some of Nigeria’s cultural practices, places and people — from its 389 ethnic groups — have steadily appeared in the spotlight of global attention. However, Nigeria also has cultural landmarks that have been left in an appalling state of neglect. The good news? There’s an increasing number of private citizens who are taking it upon themselves to ensure the preservation of historical landmarks for future generations.
Ogundele Oladele Damola Founder, Asiri MagazineMore here
Ogundele Damola’s passion for preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage was piqued after a conversation with his mother revealed that his maternal uncle Ogedengbe Agbgungboro, was one of the great Ijesha war generals from the Yoruba ethnic group. “This got me fired up,” he says, “I had plans to write a book about my great uncle, the book then became a magazine and ASIRI (an online platform) was born. Asiri aims to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage and knowledge of its pre-colonial way of life.”
The current lack of value placed on cultural heritage that Damola notices in society, fuels his work. He hopes that his platform will educate and inform Nigerians about the importance of their history and its relevance to contemporary life. Damola considers himself an advocate and crusader of Nigerian values and that advocacy looks to be paying off.
When he published a story chronicling the dismal state of the house where Nigeria’s Proclamation of Amalgamation took place in 1914 (Located in Ikot Abasi, Rivers State), and where the ceasefire for the Nigerian (Biafra) Civil War was signed in 1970, it generated a lot of buzz. “The house is not only important to the people of Ikot Abasi,” he says, “but to the essence and unity of Nigeria as it is today. A national monument has been left in ruins.”
The story prompted some of his friends to set up The National Conservation Body, which tends to the preservation of landmark buildings on Lagos’ Broad Street, renowned for housing former British colonial offices “What we do is like planting a seed. You water it everyday, and the growth is gradual but you know it’s growing,” he says.
Asiri’s coverage is broad — from historical events to cultural landmarks and festivals, including the recent Lagos Black Heritage Festival. For Damola, it’s crucial that cultural practices and heritage sites are preserved: “It’s all I have as a Nigerian. I don’t have any other home. If we don’t do this work, what will we tell future generations?” Damola remains a firm believer that cultural preservation is integral to the success of a nation. “Let’s not forget that cultural history goes a long way when it comes to nation building and development. Preserving our heritage and values is the only way individuals and nations can move forward. Without our history we’re nothing.”